On Dec. 11, 1925, a couple of fighters, Paul Berlenbach and Mike McTeague, went at it in the first boxing match ever in the history of Madison Square Garden. Since that fight at the old Garden on West 49th Street, MSG has been a mecca in the sport. The greatest fighters, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Oscar De Lay Hoya and Evander Holyfield have created iconic moments in the Garden ring.

On Saturday night, Canelo Álvarez, one of boxing’s electric figures, carved out his own slice of Garden legend with a third-round knockout of Rocky Fielding for the WBA Super Middleweight Championship. Absorbing his accomplishment in this lofty setting, Canelo smiled and said, “I hope this is the first of many.”

We share with you here some of the images from Madison Square Garden’s rich boxing past, that has lasted in the imagination over generations and endures still.

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier: The Fight of the Century

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Never before had two undefeated boxers met with the heavyweight title on the line. In the first of a trilogy, on March 8, 1971, Frazier won in 15 rounds, on a unanimous decision. Ali would win the next two bouts. (Photo: From the lens of George Kalinsky)

For The Official MSG Blog’s take leading into the fight between Canelo Álvarez and Rocky Fielding, click here.

About The Madison Square Garden Company

The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences. The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; and The Chicago Theatre. Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL); two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, MSG’s NBA 2K League franchise. In addition, the Company features the popular original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces New England’s preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival. Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment dining and nightlife brands: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, Beauty & Essex and Vandal. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com